Lee man charged with arson in Manchester

May 01. 2013 11:14PMMANCHESTER - Manchester police arrested a Lee man Tuesday night after they found a small fire burning outside First Baptist Church, 536 Union St.

Officer Matt Barter responded to the area about 9:50 p.m. and saw a small fire up against the south side of the building, which appeared ready to grow. Barter said he also saw a man standing at the fire who moved closer to the flames and began to stomp them out with his feet as Barter approached.

That man was Mark Corey, 50, of Lee, according to police, and he was arrested for setting the fire.

The fire was quickly extinguished by the Manchester Fire Department, but police said there was some damage caused to the side of the building, including a hole that burned through a panel on the side of the building that resulted in a small amount of smoke damage inside the building as well.